Basic question about Windows network file sharing

Factual Questions
1

Running Windows 7, here is the setup:

Desktop, USB-connected to an external drive that houses all data files (docs, music, photos)

Laptop, connected wirelessly to home network.

What I want to do: Access files from laptop, make changes, then save to original location.

Questions:

Must files be in a public folder for me to do this?

Must they be on the desktop’s C drive (as opposed to the external hard drive)?

Thanks!
mmm

2

As long as you are sharing the drive and have the correct permissions set you will be able to access the USB drive from the laptop.